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McClain, defense help Ravens pound Browns

Sep 22, 2008 - 1:34 AM By Rich Dubroff PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- When Dawan Landry lay motionless late in the first half on the M&T Bank Stadium turf, the Baltimore Ravens gathered and prayed. And then they came out and completely dominated the Cleveland Browns in the second half.

After Baltimore completed their second win of the season on Sunday with a 28-10 triumph over Cleveland, the Ravens said the injury to Landry was inspirational.

"We got a little bit emotional when that happened," Baltimore linebacker Bart Scott said. "In that third quarter, we really dominated, and they didn't want to play anymore."

The Browns held a 10-7 lead and with 26 seconds to play in the second quarter, when Landry tried to tackle Jamal Lewis. He was hit in the head, and didn't move for eight minutes.

At halftime, the Ravens said they would put the Browns away and they did - holding them to just 27 yards in the second half.

Landry was taken to the University of Maryland's Shock Trauma unit, where he was diagnosed with a spinal cord concussion. He'll remain there overnight, but he does have movement in his extremities.

Baltimore scored two touchdowns within a 50-second span, thanks to interceptions from cornerback Chris McAlister - which set up the first of two touchdowns by LeRon McClain - and safety Ed Reed.

"It was a bunch of guys that decided to go out there and dominate," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "We wanted to start hot. We didn't start hot."

Wins against Cincinnati and Cleveland sandwiched around an unexpected bye a week ago due to Hurricane Ike have Baltimore off to a 2-0 start.

"I think they expected to be 2-0," Harbaugh said. "I think those players are exactly where they expected to be at this point."

Reed returned his interception 32 yards for a score. It was Reed's fourth career interception returned for a TD.

"I just felt it," Reed said. "When they threw it, I was just like, catch it."

Reed and linebacker Terrell Suggs were shaken when Landry went down. They Ravens were losing the game and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan wasn't happy.

"In the locker room, Rex cussed us out the way he usually does, and we came out, we were fired up, and it started with a big hit from Ray (Lewis)," Suggs said. "After that, it just snowballed."

Lewis hit Cleveland's Kellen Winslow on the first pick and McAlister was able to run it back 12 yards to the Browns 12, setting up McClain's first score.

"It only takes one play for us to get started," Lewis said. "I had the opportunity to go for the interception or go for the hit. I didn't think they were going to throw it, but they did."

McClain's second touchdown - another 1-yard plunge - gave Baltimore a 28-10 lead with 4:49 remaining in the third quarter.

"When the defense gets turnovers, we have to punch it in," McClain said. "We don't want field goals, we want touchdowns."

The Ravens' defense made life miserable for Derek Anderson, who was intercepted three times and sacked five times - tying a career high. Anderson completed just 14-of-37 passes for 125 yards.

"The second half was the story of the game," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. "Why it turned out the way it did, I'm trying to figure that out myself."

Crennel said that he would consider starting second-year quarterback Brady Quinn next week in Cincinnati, but he didn't want to pull Anderson because he felt the game was within reach.

"Derek had most of the work during the course of the week, and we still had a chance," Crennel said.

Clearly frustrated, Anderson knows that his job is in jeopardy -- especially with the Quinn standing by.

"I expect more out of myself. I expect more of everybody else on this team," Anderson said. "I just have to calm down, so I don't lose it."

Jamal Lewis spent his first seven years with the Ravens before signing with the Browns before last season. He didn't enjoy returning to Baltimore.

"This hurts big time," Lewis said. "I know how they play on defense. When they start forcing turnovers and getting all that momentum, it's over."

The Browns did take a 7-0 lead after D'Qwell Jackson picked off rookie Joe Flacco's pass late in the first quarter. Anderson hit Jerome Harrison for a 19-yard touchdown. It was Harrison's first NFL touchdown.

"I feel better and better each week out there. I felt really sharp today," Flacco said.

The Ravens tied the score at 7-7 when Willis McGahee, who didn't play in Baltimore's first game, scored on a 5-yard run.

The Browns answered with a 13-play drive that led to Phil Dawson's 38-yard field goal late in the first half that gave Cleveland a 10-7 lead.